Some artists, designers and photographers may not see the need for developing writing skills. After all, your primary job is to communicate visually, right? Not quite. Of course your creative skills are important, but your success also depends on your ability to use verbal communication clearly and effectively.

My college advisor (I majored in English, of course!) recently shared this LinkedIn article about becoming a better writer on her Facebook page. The article contributor, Dave Kerpen, is a NY Times best-selling author who argues, “Writing is a lost art, and many professionals don’t realize how essential a job skill it is.”

Kerpen points out that poorly written e-mails, resumes and blogs that are riddled with misspellings, grammar errors and wordy constructions are unprofessional and reflect badly on the writer. Furthermore, unclear communication can lead to mistakes and misunderstandings.